Home Blog Page 1369

Top NBA Draft 2026 Round 2 Prospects: Complete List of Leading Talent

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Top NBA Draft 2026 Round 2 Prospects: Complete List of Leading Talent

Wednesday marks the beginning of the second round in the 2026 NBA Draft, where numerous promising players remain available for selection.

As Day 2 commences at 8 p.m. ET, with 30 drafts yet to be announced, we explore the leading prospects still in contention.

Below, we highlight the top 10 players still on the table, using insights from major mock drafts to assess where these talents were initially positioned.

The New York Knicks hold the first pick in this round at No. 31. However, there’s speculation about a potential trade, an activity reminiscent of their strategies in Round 1.

Best available remaining players for NBA Draft 2026 Round 2

1. Henri Veesaar (6’11, Center, North Carolina)

Top rank spotted: No. 19 (According to J. Kyle Mann, The Ringer)

Other notable rankings: No. 26 (Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo Sports), No. 28 (Jeremy Woo, ESPN)

Strengths: A mobile stretch five that should be able to pick and pop in the NBA. Solid passer and improved each season of college. Averaged 17 points per game with 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists (42.6 percent from 3) in his third year at UNC.

Weaknesses: Too skinny for 6’11, weighing just 227 pounds. Not a physical defender as a result and evaluators are split on whether he will successfully be able to defend the rim.

2. Isaiah Evans (6’6, Wing, Duke)

Highest ranking: No. 25 (ESPN)

Other notable rankings: No. 28 (Yahoo Sports), No. 29 (Ringer)

Strengths: Well-dressed at the NBA draft. Does not need the ball to score. A strong shooter that should develop into a solid defender. Potential 3-and-D guy.

Weaknesses: Not an elite athlete, does not create his own shot and his ball-handling needs work.

3. Meleek Thomas (6’4, Guard, Arkansas)

Highest ranking: No. 24 (Yahoo Sports)

Other notable rankings: No. 28 (Ringer), No. 29 (ESPN)

Strengths:This guy was a bucket in college for John Calipari. A real fearless scorer who can fill it up with ease. A true freshman with plenty of room to grow at 19.

Weaknesses: Hero ball could be an issue at the next level. Will need to work well off the ball and find his shot without controlling the offense, especially without draft pick equity falling to the second round.

4. Ryan Conwell (6’4, guard, Louisville)

Highest ranking: No. 27 (The Ringer)

Other notable rankings: No. 34 (Yahoo Sports) No. 35 (ESPN)

Strengths: Should be a solid defender at the next level and has a consistently solid jump shot. Led Louisville in scoring and shoots with seemingly limitless range.

Weaknesses: Average athlete that doesn’t create much off the dribble. Inconsistent at times with scoring.

5. Baba Miller (6’11, Center/PF, Cincinnati)

Highest ranking: No. 24 (The Ringer)

Other notable rankings: No. 34 (ESPN), No. 47 (Yahoo Sports)

Strengths: Rare size plus skill combination. Able to run the floor and may develop into a player who can defend all positions.

Weaknesses: Might need his entire jump shot reworked at this level. Miller was from Spain and spent four years at Cincinnati (22 years old). Will need to develop the jump shot quickly to be useful at the next level.

6. Richie Saunders (6’5, guard, BYU)

Highest ranking: No. 27 (Yahoo Sports)

Other notable rankings: No. 34 (Ringer), No. 37 (ESPN)

Strengths: Played with AJ Dybantsa and was a high-motor defender with a penchant for forcing turnovers and has a quick-trigger jumper with soft floater touch.

Weaknesses: Turns 25 this year and tore his ACL in Feb. Already was lacking elite athleticism and ideal size.

7. Jack Kayil (6’4, guard, Alba Berlin)

Highest ranking: No. 29 (Yahoo Sports)

Other notable rankings: No. 35 (Ringer) No. 36 (ESPN)

Strengths: Could be a draft-and-stash candidate. Strong season in Germany after decommitting from Gonzaga. Should be a good defender at the next level and is still just 19.

Weaknesses: An inefficient scorer with an inconsistent jump shot.

8. Maliq Brown (6’8, forward, Duke)

Highest ranking: No. 32 (The Ringer)

Other notable rankings: No. 40 (Yahoo Sports) No. 56 (ESPN)

Strengths: Defensive prowess could be elite. Switchable defender.

Weaknesses: Nearly no offense to speak of — 16.7 percent from 3 and 50 percent from the free throw line. Too small to play center.

9. Emanuel Sharp (6’3, guard, Houston)

Highest ranking: No. 38 (ESPN)

Other notable rankings: No. 41 (Ringer and Yahoo Sports)

Strengths: Could be an elite shooting specialist at the next level. Willing defender.

Weaknesses: Undersized and uneven playmaker.

10. Dillon Mitchell (6’7, Wing, St. John’s)

Highest ranking: No. 39 (Ringer)

Other notable rankings: No. 40 (ESPN), No. 44 (Yahoo Sports)

Strengths: Explosive athlete and finisher at the rim who can create havoc on defense.

Weaknesses: Poor shooter, as many with St. John’s dealt with last year. Will need to develop into a better shooter before he can be playable at the next level.

4 Pressing Problems Thomas Tuchel Must Solve After England’s Setback Against Ghana

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
4 Pressing Problems Thomas Tuchel Must Solve After England’s Setback Against Ghana

Following England’s frustrating draw against Ghana in Boston, coach Thomas Tuchel is tasked with steering his team to victory over Panama in New York this Saturday to enhance their prospects of clinching the top spot in World Cup Group L.

Here, Mail Sport highlights four critical areas that Tuchel needs to address before the weekend.

The defence

Recall the England squad that boasted a clean sheet throughout their World Cup qualifying journey? Eight matches saw them secure victories while netting 22 goals and conceding none. Despite facing relatively weaker teams, England’s defensive resilience was something to commend.

Djed Spence was brought into England's defence but their issues from Dallas remained

Djed Spence was inserted into England’s defensive lineup, but issues from the match in Dallas persisted.

In their recent clash with Croatia in Dallas, a defensive quartet of Reece James, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, and Nico O’Reilly struggled considerably. With Stones and O’Reilly replaced by Marc Guehi and Djed Spence for the subsequent game against Ghana in Boston, defensive troubles lingered.

Incredibly, England had 79 per cent of the possession against the African side here but still we came away worrying about how shaky England and their suddenly erratic goalkeeper Jordan Pickford looked whenever Ghana did manage to advance forward. That felt very strange.

On two occasions in the second half, England were desperately lucky. First when Pickford ran out of his area and clattered into Ghana’s breaking Prince Adu. Then, when Ezri Konsa tackled the same player from behind in the penalty area.

Had either decision gone against England on the field, VAR would not have intervened. Pickford would have been sent off and Konsa would have been deemed to have conceded a penalty. The latter incident really could turn out to be a big moment in this tournament in that it may yet help England win their group.

England manager Thomas Tuchel will make one simple change for the final group game against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday. O’Reilly will surely return for Spence. Selecting the Tottenham full-back was a mistake.

But what about Pickford?

There was a time – back in 2018 when England reached a World Cup semi-final under Gareth Southgate in Russia – that Pickford was all reflex and not enough brain. He was too emotional for international football and his lack of calmness would often threaten to spread through his defence.

Over the years, the 32-year-old has matured. He has calmed down and grown into one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Here in America, though, we have seen shades of what we thought had been overcome.

Pickford has looked skittish and erratic. Maybe he needs a couple of big saves to settle him down. England need that too given that his deputy, Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace, can be just as up and down.

Jordan Pickford has looked skittish and erratic - despite maturing over the years

Jordan Pickford has looked skittish and erratic – despite maturing over the years

Wide areas 

Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon walked through the interview area wearing a big smile as England prepared to leave and fly back to their base in Kansas. Maybe the value of a point in Group L had been under-estimated by everybody outside of Tuchel’s squad.

The England manager’s message in the post-match press conference had been of the ‘keep calm’ variety and perhaps with good reason. England remain at the top of their four-team table.

They have huffed and puffed in wide areas over their two games so far, however. There have been moments of quality and of progress but there has also been enough evidence that Tuchel hasn’t quite got his formula right.

In selecting his squad for this tournament, Tuchel made it clear how his England were going to play. He chose a plethora of traditional wide players and left his safe breakers – the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer – at home. So now that he is here, he has got to prove that was the right way to go. He has to make it work.

Gordon, for all his bonhomie on Tuesday, has really struggled over two games and will make way for Marcus Rashford against Panama in New Jersey we would suspect. Is Rashford 100 per cent fit, though? Despite seeing action as a substitute, there are rumours that he may not be.

Anthony Gordon has really struggled over two games and will make way for Marcus Rashford

Anthony Gordon has really struggled over two games and will make way for Marcus Rashford

The same goes for Bukayo Saka on the other side. England have been nursing the Arsenal player through the early stages of this tournament. And though he came on to make a real impact against Ghana – almost scoring with one sweeping low shot – it remains unclear whether he will be able to start against Panama.

His club mate Noni Madueke enjoyed a good start to the tournament against Croatia but less so on Tuesday. His passing and crossing was erratic and his relationship with his right back Reece James was not as productive as it had been in Dallas.

It would feel appropriate to start with Saka and Rashford in New Jersey on Saturday. They feel like the best pair. Whether Tuchel feels able to use one or both from the start is harder to ascertain.

Harry Kane laments a missed chance in the goalless draw that showed up England's issues

Harry Kane laments a missed chance in the goalless draw that showed up England’s issues

Set pieces

When the chips were down late in the game in Boston, the cavalry didn’t arrive.

Tuchel has spent a year telling us how important set pieces would be at this World Cup but when England needed one to come off, it didn’t work out.

England had nine corners over the course of the 90 minutes against Ghana and a number of free-kicks. But whereas the header Harry Kane scored from a corner against Croatia a week ago came from a beautifully executed training ground routine, there was no sign of such intelligence or detail against Ghana.

Declan Rice didn’t enjoy his best game from dead ball situations. The Arsenal player’s accuracy was not of its usual high standard. Equally, England’s target men didn’t find the space usually created by blockers and decoy runners.

Indeed England only managed three shots on target all game and not a single one until almost the hour mark. At least two of those came from shots from outside of the penalty area.

England made little of their nine corners over the course of the 90 minutes against Ghana

England made little of their nine corners over the course of the 90 minutes against Ghana

And what of Tuchel’s set piece specialists? The England boss has the likes of Dan Burn and Ivan Toney in his 26-man group but both remained on the substitutes’ bench as the clock wound down in the rain.

Indeed Tuchel’s use of subs – so flawless against Croatia – was less assured here. Rashford, for example, was only given seven minutes plus added time to have an impact.

If someone like Toney isn’t going to come on with England needing a goal and in the territorial ascendency, when is he?

Outrageous Arby’s Incident: Manager’s Conduct Allegedly Leads to Customer Contracting Herpes

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Outrageous Arby’s Incident: Manager’s Conduct Allegedly Leads to Customer Contracting Herpes

In Oklahoma, a woman has accused an Arby’s employee of giving her herpes by allegedly spitting into her sandwich.

Jennica Church, from Broken Bow, reported experiencing painful sores around her mouth and lips following a visit to an Arby’s drive-through on March 28.

While ordering a four-for-$10 sandwich deal, Church told KJRH she felt the staff might have been upset because she arrived shortly before the restaurant was about to close.

After taking the sandwiches home, she shared them with her father-in-law and grandmother-in-law.

However, just two days after eating the meal, Church noticed a painful blister appeared on her lip, something she claimed she had never experienced before.

She was later diagnosed by a doctor with HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes.

Church’s daughter allegedly heard from the daughter of Amanda Hendricks, former manager of the Arby’s, that Amanda saw Church at Arby’s and decided to spit in her sandwich. 

According to an incident report filed by local officer Zane Mann, video footage from the Arby’s cameras confirmed this.

Jennica Church, recently diagnosed with herpes after consuming a sandwich that contained an employee's spit

Jennica Church, recently diagnosed with herpes after consuming a sandwich that contained an employee’s spit

A painful blister appeared on Church's lip two days after eating the Arby's sandwich

A painful blister appeared on Church’s lip two days after eating the Arby’s sandwich

The report, seen by the Daily Mail, said: ‘While making the order, Amanda can be seen grabbing meat from the slicer, bring it to around neck level, leaning her head down with her mouth close to the meat, and appears to spit and place the meat on one of the sandwiches and has the order sent out.’

The probable cause affidavit states that the video shows ‘the saliva leave’ Hendricks’s mouth.  

After Hendricks reportedly admitted to the act in a phone call with officer Mann, a warrant for her arrest was filed and she was charged with the felony of poisoning food/medicine with intent to injure.

Along with the criminal case, Church and her family have filed a lawsuit against Hendricks claiming the incident caused anxiety, emotional distress and fear of infection, stemming from her allegedly developing herpes symptoms from the saliva.

Church said she believes visible breakouts could even impact her work as a bartender. 

‘If I go out to eat and see someone with a big thing on their face, I don’t want them serving me food,’ she said. 

Dr Stuart Fischer, a former emergency room doctor and practicing internist, told the Daily Mail that it is possible to contract herpes from shared saliva, but it is rare.

He said: ‘Usually, herpes works by direct contact. It enters the body by direct contact.

Amanda Hendricks, criminally charged with poisoning food/medicine with intent to injure, a felony

Amanda Hendricks, criminally charged with poisoning food/medicine with intent to injure, a felony

Church and members of her family have filed a lawsuit against the employee, claiming it was the cause of her diagnosis

Church and members of her family have filed a lawsuit against the employee, claiming it was the cause of her diagnosis

‘Normal spit in a sandwich would be digested by all the body’s enzymes, especially when you’re eating a sandwich.’ 

Fischer has treated the virus in multiple cases and mentioned that many people contract herpes without realizing as the symptoms can often lay dormant with no outbreaks. 

‘It’s not always active,’ he said. 

In the lawsuit, the burden of proof is on Church, which in Fischer’s opinion, would require that it is ‘inconceivable’ that she got it through other means.

‘A situation like this, I’ve never heard of in my life, but we live in strange times,’ Fischer said. 

Court records indicate that both the criminal and civil cases remain unresolved.

The Broken Bow Arby’s refused to provide any comment to the Daily Mail at this time. 

Meghan Markle Honors Prince Harry with Heartfelt Father’s Day Message Amid Upcoming UK Visit

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Meghan Markle Honors Prince Harry with Heartfelt Father’s Day Message Amid Upcoming UK Visit

In a touching Father’s Day tribute, Prince Harry was photographed with his children, Archie and Lilibet. The candid moment was made even more special as young Archie sported an England football jersey.

Prince Harry has posed for a heartfelt Father’s Day moment with his children Archie and Lilibet – with his son wearing an England football shirt

Prince Harry shares a tender Father’s Day moment with Archie and Lilibet, with Archie proudly donning an England football shirt.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, marked the occasion by sharing a heartfelt family tribute on social media, celebrating the 41-year-old Duke of Sussex. This comes amidst speculations that the couple is planning a significant visit to the UK next month.

It comes as Harry and Meghan are expected to travel to Britain in July with Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, marking the children’s first visit to the UK in four years.

The trip is expected to include events linked to Harry’s Invictus Games and could see the family stay in a royal residence, with reports suggesting Buckingham Palace is among the options under consideration.

The visit comes as efforts towards a reconciliation between Harry and his father, King Charles, 77, continue following years of family tensions after the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

Sharing a video montage on Instagram for Father’s Day, Meghan told Harry: “They’re so lucky to have you.

“We all are.

“Happy Father’s Day to our one and only.”

The footage included images of Harry embracing Archie and Lilibet, with Archie wearing an England football shirt while hugging his father in support of the team’s World Cup efforts.

The post comes amid renewed attention on Harry’s relationship with the Royal Family.

In May 2025, Harry told the BBC he hoped for a reconciliation with relatives following years of public disagreements and legal disputes surrounding his security arrangements in Britain.

Harry has remained a prominent public figure through his charitable work and his role as founder of the Invictus Games, the international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

The next edition of the competition is due to take place in Birmingham in 2027, with Harry expected to attend a series of related engagements in London and Birmingham between 6 and 10 July.

According to reports, an arrangement has been reached that would allow Charles to spend time with Archie and Lilibet during the visit.

The King has not seen his grandchildren in person since celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.

The Sussexes have rarely travelled to Britain as a family since relocating to California after their departure from royal duties, a period widely referred to as “Megxit”.

Harry has repeatedly cited concerns over security after the removal of automatic state-funded police protection following the move.

Reports suggest Buckingham Palace, currently undergoing a £369 million refurbishment programme, is among the residences being considered because of its extensive security arrangements.

Other possibilities are understood to include St James’s Palace, Windsor Castle and Frogmore Cottage, the former UK home of Harry and Meghan.

Meghan has not visited Britain since attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022. It remains unclear whether she will join Harry and the children for any meeting with Charles during the forthcoming trip.

Relations between Harry and his brother, Prince William, 44, remain strained.

William is not expected to meet Harry during the visit, with reports suggesting the brothers have not spoken since the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Last year, Harry travelled to Britain after Charles was diagnosed with cancer and later met his father privately at Clarence House.

Reports at the time said Harry brought a framed photograph of Archie and Lilibet to show the King during the meeting.

Leslie Jones Speaks Out on Challenging ‘SNL’ Writers Over Typecasting as the ‘Angry Girl

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Leslie Jones Speaks Out on Challenging ‘SNL’ Writers Over Typecasting as the ‘Angry Girl

Leslie Jones recently shared her experience confronting the writers of “Saturday Night Live” about being frequently cast in roles characterized by anger and aggression.

During the June 12 episode of “The Sam Sanders Show,” the comedian expressed her frustration at consistently being portrayed as an irate character or someone romantically entangled with a white man.

“They would always depict me as someone who was either angry or fighting with someone,” she continued.

Jones, who was a part of the beloved sketch comedy show between 2014 and 2019, revealed that she requested the writers to reconsider this portrayal — a plea that was dismissed.

Reflecting on their response, she stated, “They said, ‘This works. Once you leave, you’ll have opportunities…’ But I countered, ‘I don’t aspire to be like Chevy Chase or anyone else. I want to be uniquely Leslie and explore diverse roles.’”

Jones continued: “I would tell them, ‘Hey, can I be in this sketch?’ ‘Hey, when do I get to play a man?’ They would let them do other stuff, and then they wouldn’t let me play as much as I wanted to play.”

The 58-year-old said she once spoke to creator Lorne Michaels about some of the racial “undertones” happening behind-the-scenes.

“You know, there be some racist stuff be happening up through here,” she stated, before claiming that “misogyny is heavier than the racism” at “SNL.”

Despite her grievances, Jones said she still played ball with the NBC program because she knew that was best for her career.

“I wanted to be on the show,” she said, “and at the time I didn’t think that was what was happening ‘till it kept happening. And then every time I would get a sketch, I was like, ‘Okay, who am I beating up this week?’”

Jones also called “SNL” a “machine” that will never change because “It’s been successful” since it premiered in 1975.

“If you wanna be there, go there, because it is a great foundation,” she said as advice to up-and-coming comedians. “It is a great place for you still to find yourself. You can definitely get love going there.”

However, Jones noted comics need to have “a very strong personality” and be “very secure in yourself” if they want to be on the show.

When asked to sum up her experience, Jones called it “bittersweet” because while she “loved being there” and had “fun,” she doesn’t “miss the mental part” of the job.

Page Six has reached out to “SNL” for comment.

Jones joined “SNL” as a writer during Season 39 in 2014, before being promoted to an official cast member later that year.

At the time, Jones was the oldest new recruit in the show’s history at age 47.

She earned two Emmy nominations for her performance before departing the series in 2019.

Debate Sparks Over SNAP Restrictions on Soda and Candy

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Debate Sparks Over SNAP Restrictions on Soda and Candy

(The Hill) — On Monday, a federal judge put a halt to efforts by the Trump administration and various states to ban the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for purchasing sugary drinks and other items classified as unhealthy foods.

Towards the end of last year, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins promoted a campaign for states to exclude certain food items from the $100 billion federal initiative. This initiative aligned with Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” plan, which he lauded for restricting SNAP usage.

Numerous states had sought permission from the federal government to bypass U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations dictating permissible SNAP purchases, and the USDA had approved these exceptions, as a court document shows. However, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson reversed these approvals in her decision.

Reacting to the judicial verdict, Rollins expressed frustration, stating in a post on the social platform X, “An activist judge has just obstructed our sensible proposal to prevent SNAP funds from being used for sodas and junk food.”

“SNAP is designed to support food purchases, not to fund sugary indulgences that contribute to obesity, diabetes, and surging healthcare costs affecting low-income families.”

The moves have come in tandem with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, and Kennedy has praised the move to restrict SNAP purchases. 

Despite a possible perceived health benefit in the restriction of certain foods and drink, there are some who disagree with the SNAP restrictions, citing reasons including discrimination and costs.

Here’s what you need to know about the controversy surrounding the SNAP restrictions: 

Stigmatization

Some who are opposed to SNAP restrictions argue that they will raise the stigma around the SNAP program and result in increased discrimination against recipients.

“By reinforcing the narrative that SNAP participants can’t be trusted to make food choices for their families, I have no doubt that this discrimination will intensify,” Kate W. Bauer, a professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan, wrote in an April article.

“This stigma harms both mental and physical health, adding another burden to those already struggling,” she added.

A piece titled “Let Them Eat Cake: Why We Must Oppose SNAP Food Choice Restrictions” in the Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy from April also argued that “singling out people who receive SNAP, policing their shopping carts, and delaying their purchases at the register” as a result of the restrictions would cause a reduction in those involved in the program.

The financials

Researchers have argued it would be expensive for the federal government to track all the hundreds of thousands of food and beverage products on the market plus the 20,000 introduced each year, according to economic policy researcher Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach’s 2017 testimony before the House Committee on Agriculture.

“Imposing new restrictions on SNAP would require expensive new infrastructure for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), grocery stores, and other retailers. Taxpayers would foot the bill to expand USDA’s capacity to patrol grocery transactions,” the Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy piece argued.

Health effects

In her 2017 congressional testimony, Schanzenbach also said that researchers have long argued that restrictions on SNAP are unlikely to change people’s eating patterns. 

Bauer, the University of Michigan professor, wrote in her April piece that trials and “an increased understanding of individuals’ experience of food insecurity” demonstrate that SNAP restrictions would have the opposite of the desired effect by not promoting a healthful lifestyle and “would have unintended, negative consequences.”

“Specifically, randomized controlled trials that have tested the effects of different limitations or incentives on SNAP purchases demonstrate that, while soda purchases may decrease when SNAP benefits are restricted, there are no meaningful differences on individuals’ overall dietary intake,” she added.

Patriots Coach Jeremy Springer Announces Engagement to NBC Sports’ Kayla Burton

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Patriots Coach Jeremy Springer Announces Engagement to NBC Sports’ Kayla Burton

Warm wishes are being extended to Jeremy Springer, the Patriots’ special teams coordinator, and Kayla Burton, who hosts for NBC Sports Boston, on their recent engagement.

The couple joyfully shared their engagement news on Instagram on Monday, delighting followers with images of Springer’s picturesque oceanfront proposal.

Springer, aged 37, chose Swami’s Beach in San Diego, California, as the perfect setting to propose on June 19. Local photographer Alyse Arauz captured the moment beautifully.

Burton, who is 31, was ecstatic as she showed off her radiant cut diamond engagement ring to loved ones via FaceTime, as documented in her Instagram Story.

Burton made their relationship public on social media in 2024, sharing her happiness with the world.

Springer is entering his third season in New England as special teams coordinator after spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons as a special teams assistant with the Los Angeles Rams.

Before that, Springer spent eight seasons coaching at the collegiate level.

He was a standout linebacker at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) from 2007 through the 2011 season.

Prior to NBC Sports Boston, Burton, who is a Massachusetts native, was a college football sideline reporter for ESPN.

She previously worked for NFL Media and Western Mass News based in Springfield, Mass., where she served as a sports/news anchor, reporter, and content producer.

Burton played Division I women’s basketball at Lehigh University.

Her sister Veronica Burton was a first-round pick in the 2022 WNBA draft and she currently plays for the Golden State Valkyries.

Veronica was the WNBA Most Improved Player in 2025.

Kim Jong Un’s Bold Naval Ambition: North Korea Aims for Two New Warships Annually in Military Overhaul

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Kim Jong Un’s Bold Naval Ambition: North Korea Aims for Two New Warships Annually in Military Overhaul

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a directive to bolster the nation’s naval capabilities significantly. He proposes constructing two large warships annually over the next five years.

During a commissioning ceremony for a newly minted destroyer, Kim expressed his ambitions for North Korea to construct two warships each year. These ships would be on par with the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class vessel, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The event, held at the port of Nampho, marked the deployment of the new multipurpose destroyer. Back in April, Kim had witnessed the ship launch two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles.

The destroyer has successfully passed a series of rigorous military operational tests over the previous 14 months, according to reports from KCNA.

Missile test launches from North Korea warship

In an event on April 12, North Korean state media noted that the Choe Hyon destroyer launched two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)

Kim previously hailed the development of the Choe Hyon as a major step toward expanding the operational reach and preemptive strike capabilities of North Korea’s military.

Kim also said the navy’s nuclearization is “advancing along its own course,” contributing to the country’s nuclear deterrence.

The naval buildup comes as Kim seeks to strengthen what analysts have long viewed as one of the weaker branches of North Korea’s military.

The new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon

The new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon during its commissioning ceremony at Nampho port, North Korea, Tuesday. (KCNA via REUTERS)

KCNA reported that Kim intends to deploy another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, along with larger 10,000-ton strategic warships.

The Kang Kon was first unveiled in May of last year but was damaged during a failed launch at the northern port city of Chongjin. The vessel was later relaunched following repairs.

By adding new capabilities, North Korea’s navy would become “something incredible beyond imagination,” Kim said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the commissioning ceremony of the new multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampho port, North Korea, Tuesday. (KCNA via Reuters)

“Building a modernized naval base has ​emerged as a ​desperate and ⁠essential task,” he added.

State media reported that Kim is also reviewing plans to construct new naval bases.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observing missile test from destroyer Choe Hyon

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes strategic cruise and anti-warship missiles test-fired from the destroyer Choe Hyon, April 12. (Korean Central News Agency/Reuters)

Speaking during a meeting of the Workers’ Party’s Central Committee on Monday, Kim said the navy would undergo changes to its status, role and scope of operations.

He did not elaborate on what those changes would entail.
1...1,3681,3691,370...5,013Page 1,369 of 5,013